[daniandquin1] laurelei starbuck3 codreamer59 how about we have a discussion about paying it forward?

[daniandquin1] laurelei I think that is something that we should all be thinking about and making plans for but thinking WISELY

[codreamer59] daniandquin1 That sounds awesome! I'm going to start by providing a new modular home for an elderly couple at church who really need a new, updated place with wheelchair access!

[daniandquin1] One of the things I want to talk to everyone about is giving to Charities. It is very VERY important that people thoroughly research any charities that they plan of gifting money too

[daniandquin1] Many many charities are NOT truly charitable [starbuck3] daniandquin1 agreed...

[daniandquin1] ie: the money they receive does NOT go to those who need it

[averysgrampa] daniandquin1 no their not i worked at a partnership i know how that works right off the top admin takes their cut for pay

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[starbuck3] daniandquin1 definitly need to research to see how much money actually goes toward cause and how much for other expenses such as huge salaries [ARHogFan] daniandquin1 daniandquin1 you are so correct...if you are responsible in charitable giving you will look to see how much of each dollar is actually used as you wish. Too many have a great donor plea but it is almost fraud! This is true in regarding to feeding children or buying Bibles! Be wise!

[daniandquin1] exactly. Many Dinarians have their hearts in the right place and will try to help by donating cash to charities, but unfortunately very few of the big, well advertised charities are actually helping

[ARHogFan] daniandquin1 This is why it is critical for ea ch to invest themselves into the effort...know what they are doing [daniandquin1] I have lived in SE Asia and in the Congo, and I have tons of first hand experience dealing with these so called "charitable|" organizations.

[daniandquin1] ARHogFan exactly!!! I have been encouraging the group that I'm working with you pay it forward in very local ways. [ARHogFan] daniandquin1 Agree...invest in LOCAL efforts and forget the national...local efforts have accountability. It is not unloving to demand accountability from those professing to help others [daniandquin1] One of the best ideas I've heard was the grocery cards: buy up a specific amount of money in grocery and gas cards, then donate those cards to local churches, food banks, shelters.

[daniandquin1] Don't give money to animal shelters like the Humane society and SPCA, instead bring them food for the animals, bedding, etc...

[dietcokeandice] daniandquin1 exactly love that idea

[starbuck3] daniandquin1 agreed..... tangable donations.... then you know the animals get the help [ARHogFan] I'm passionate about assisting the local level in everything...especially in helping our wounded warriors. They are a part of our community so each community can help its own. Just imagine the impact of post RV if each assisted vets in their own community & State! [daniandquin1] I think that it's vital that we help the people near us first. [andisgram1] dietcokeandice After rv I want to donate ipads to Brendans class. [sharonsdinar] daniandquin1 those are wonderful ideas.. are you going to put them in the forum so we can print them out

[daniandquin1] sharonsdinar I will [sharonsdinar] daniandquin1 thank you.. I will use them [dietcokeandice] daniandquin1 I have a friend that goes dumpster driving at Petsmart and takes items to the local shelters....I was wondering why they don't just donate to the shelters instead of sending it to the dump? [daniandquin1] the same goes with church tithes. I i'm not knocking anyone religion or church, but giving gift cards I think is far better than

[daniandquin1] grocery and gas gift cards will be more likely to be given out to those that truly need them

[daniandquin1] I just want people to be very very careful of donating cash to any organization. [averysgrampa] daniandquin1 so true! and find out before you donate what percentage of your donation actually trickles down to what the main cause is [daniandquin1] It's very easy to have your heart strings plucked by watching an ad on TV with the face of a starving child in Africa..... but those organizations are notorious money wasters and in most cases less than $.05 on the dollar tha tyou donate actually reaches the people so desperately in need.

Apr 24 11:17 AM [averysgrampa] daniandquin1 exactly huge overhead! thats why i will donate locally i can then see what my money is doing to help! or start my own 501c3! [massman1] daniandquin1 I think there is a site where you can check to see what charities are rated

[daniandquin1] when we were in the Congo, we saw tons of things that had been donated by various agencies- school supplies, mosquito netting, clothing, medicine.... all being sold on the black market. So even if an Agency is getting help to the country in need.... many of the products sent end up being sold anyway

[dietcokeandice] daniandquin1 So sad I just hope that there will be justice one day [daniandquin1] One of the things that I will be doing to help out friends is NOT giving them money, instead I will arrange for them to get fresh local produce delivered to them each week and send them grocery cards